England winger Sterling was adjudged to have been bundled over by Nacho Monreal early in the second half of the match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Sergio Aguero converting the penalty to put the home side 2-0 ahead.

Wenger disagreed with the decision, and was also upset by the lack of an offside flag in the build-up to City's decisive third goal from Gabriel Jesus after Alexandre Lacazette had given the Gunners a lifeline just after the hour.

In a post-match interview with BBC's Match of the Day, the veteran Frenchman said: ''I believe it was no penalty. It was a provoked penalty by Sterling. We know that he dives well - he does that very well."

Wenger also added: "You can accept it if City win in a normal way, they are a good side, but the way it happened is unacceptable."

Wenger's comments could have left him facing a sanction from the governing body.

However, Britain's Press Association understands the Arsenal manager has been viewed to have not overstepped the mark - albeit only just.